Precision Mobile Drip Irrigation (PMDI™)

The patented technology of PMDI combines the efficiency of surface drip irrigation with the flexibility of center pivot and linear move irrigation systems. While conventional center pivot and linear move irrigation water application packages are efficient and provide many different options for distributing water, PMDI technology provides increased system application efficiency through precision drip irrigation with the slow methodical release of water and nutrients directly to the soil area for optimal plant growth.

Simple: minimal components, easy to install and maintainReliable: quality Netafim products from the proven leader in drip irrigationAffordable: a fraction of the cost of a subsurface drip system and it’s available on any model of center pivot and linear move systems

Are you faced with water restrictions and deficit irrigation? The PMDI system is an ideal solution for growers to maintain yields even with lower water availability. Crops can be effectively irrigated even with very low gallons per minute wells. This technology provides accuracy of water management and greater efficiency than standard pivot nozzling. But best of all, it delivers the most even water pattern/application available. You’ll get all the efficiency of a subsurface drip system at a lower cost per acre versus a conventional center pivot system. Drip has proven, time and again, that it helps growers improve crop quality and yields. Water and nutrients are used more efficiently so input costs are reduced. This results in higher yields – up to 20% yield increases have been recorded over a conventional center pivot system – and a uniform, quality crop throughout the entire field.

How Does it Work?

PMDI consists of Netafim’s DripNet PC™ dripline which is attached to the end of a center pivot or linear move irrigation system’s rigid or flexible drop and/or a manifold (recommended) – whichever method is best for the crop being irrigated. The dripline is dragged through the crop by the center pivot or linear move system. As the dripline is pulled behind the system, the emitters deliver a uniform water pattern across the entire irrigated area. The water is applied directly to the soil surface significantly reducing inefficiencies due to surface area and wind drift. This allows deeper percolation to the plant’s root zone. DripNet PC dripline has pressure compensating emitters welded to the internal wall of the dripline every 6”. These driplines are spaced at 20”, 22″, 30”, and 40” between lateral lines depending on the soil type and the crop.

PMDI Advantages

Potential for 20-30% water savings

Can be used on either tall or short crops

Significantly reduces evaporation and eliminates wind drift

Reduces and/or eliminates wheel track issues

Soil stays moist without crusting while soil compaction is reduced or eliminated

Increases soil moisture resulting in more water banked into the soil profile

Reduces plugged and frozen nozzles during winter watering

PMDI Components

Based on the application, tall or short crop, the PMDI system components are blank polyethylene tubing, DripNet PC pressure compensating heavywall dripline and attachment fittings.

PMDI System Design

Our unique Design Calculator makes designing a PMDI system quick and easy. By entering the relevant information such as acres, pivot span/length and lateral spacing, the program will calculate the required number of PMDI manifolds and DripNet PC dripline along with the water usage. In this example, we are designing a PMDI system with manifolds for a short crop with 60” lateral spacing. The dripline drags behind the pivot with lengths ranging from 1.5’ to 127’ in length based on the row number.